Ion Spin "Molecules": Concept and Experimental Progress
Prof. Christof Wunderlich (Universiät Siegen)

A concept for implementing experiments in quantum information science and exploring fundamental questions of quantum mechanics is introduced: an ion spin pseudo-molecule. Two essential experimental steps towards its experimental realization are reported: i) Individual addressing of trapped ions in frequency space using rf-radiation, and, ii) the first demonstration of an interaction between motional and spin states induced by an rf field. In addition, single-qubit quantum gates based on optimal control theory were implemented and will be reported on. These gates are robust against experimental and intrinsic imperfections and represent, at the same time, building blocks for multiple-qubit gates.